Aldi UK has signed a new long-term contract with British supplier Warrendale Wagyu in its latest move to support local farmers.
As part of the agreement, the discounter expects to become the biggest seller of British wagyu steaks in the UK, with around 2.5 million sold a year once rollout across its stores is complete later this year.
The new contract is worth around £320m over the next five years and is said to ensure greater financial security for Warrendale Wagyu and the 800 British farmers within its supply chain.
Warrendale Wagyu is a Yorkshire-based, family-owned business that has been supplying Aldi since 2020. All its meat uses Fullblood Wagyu genetics crossed with dairy breeds in a grass-based production system. Aldi noted that the approach not only creates genuine wagyu products but also gives a value to calves born in the dairy supply chain, an issue the food industry has been tackling for several years.
Jim Bloom, Founder of Warrendale Wagyu, said: “We’ve worked with farmers across the UK to produce top-quality British wagyu steaks, but this is a huge milestone as we gear up to supply Aldi stores nationwide.
“We’re grateful for the long-term relationship we have with Aldi and its continued belief and investment in our business and the British farming industry as a whole.”
Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, added: “Our award-winning British wagyu steaks are incredibly popular with shoppers, and it’s exciting that we’ll soon be able to offer these products in all our stores across the country.
“This contract is just one of the long-term partnerships we’ve invested in as part of our unwavering commitment to British farming and providing our customers with exceptional quality British products.”
